In this June 10, 2008 photo provided by Terry Sohl, a male Ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a honeysuckle plant, in Brandon, S.D. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating to North America weeks earlier than in decades past, and research indicates that higher temperatures in their winter habitat may be the reason. Researchers say the early arrival could mean less food at nesting time for the tiny birds that feed on insect pests, help pollinate flowers and are popular with birdwatchers. (AP Photo/Terry Sohl)

Advocate file photo -- Hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times a second, and you can see them up close at the annual Hummingbird Celebration.

Advocate file photo -- Visit the Hummingbird Celebration and get a chance to hold one of the tiny creatures in your hand.

Advocate file photo -- Hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times a second, and you can see them up close at the annual Hummingbird Celebration.

Felicianas set to celebrate hummingbirds

In this June 10, 2008 photo provided by Terry Sohl, a male Ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a honeysuckle plant, in Brandon, S.D. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migrating to North America weeks earlier than in decades past, and research indicates that higher temperatures in their winter habitat may be the reason. Researchers say the early arrival could mean less food at nesting time for the tiny birds that feed on insect pests, help pollinate flowers and are popular with birdwatchers. (AP Photo/Terry Sohl)

Advocate file photo -- Hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times a second, and you can see them up close at the annual Hummingbird Celebration.

Advocate file photo -- Visit the Hummingbird Celebration and get a chance to hold one of the tiny creatures in your hand.

Advocate file photo -- Hummingbirds beat their wings 80 times a second, and you can see them up close at the annual Hummingbird Celebration.

Get an up-close look at those miraculous little creatures called hummingbirds on Saturday, Sept. 13, in West Feliciana Parish.

The Feliciana Nature Society and the National Wildbird Refuge is holding its annual Hummingbird Celebration, where you can see these tiny birds who dart about and fly backwards, beating their wings 50 times per second.

Master hummingbird banders set special traps to catch and band the birds while visitors look on. Many will get to hold the little birds in their hand and release them back to the wild. The whole process takes only a few minutes for each bird.

Banding will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at two sites: 15736 Tunica Trace on La. 66, where biologist Linda Beall will be banding, and on the grounds at the home Murrell Butler, 9485 Oak Hill Road, Bains, where Nancy Newfield will be banding birds.

At the sites there will be tents with vendors and exhibits with everything from hummingbird-loving plants to feeders and binoculars. Admission is free.